Second generation of 2H-benzimidazole 1,3-dioxide derivatives as anti-trypanosomatid agents: synthesis, biological evaluation, and mode of action studies.

Exploring the influence of different substitution patterns of 2H-benzimidazole 1,3-dioxide derivatives (BzNO) we prepared fifteen new derivatives. Initially the BzNO were tested against Trypanosoma cruzi Tulahuen 2 strain epimastigote form rendering very potent anti-T. cruzi agents. Moreover, the BzNO were able to inhibit the growth of virulent and resistant to Benznidazole strains (CL Brener clone, Colombiana, and Y strains) and to Leishmania braziliensis. Interestingly, BzNO exhibited very high selectivity index and particularly the spiro-BzNO 13 provokes an important diminution of amastigotes in Vero cells. Besides, it was found a diminution of acetate and glycine as excreted metabolites but without increase of parasite glucose uptake indicating that the glycosome is probably not involucrate in the 2H-benzimidazole 1,3-dioxides mechanism of action.